POS1535-HPR THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SCAPULAR STABILIZATION AND HAND FUNCTIONS IN CHILDREN WITH JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC ARTHRITIS
Authors: G. Duran, D. Bayraktar, A. C. Kalkan, S. Turkucar, B. Makay, E. Unsal, A. Genc
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2022)

Background Distal stabilization is an essential component for high quality proximal movement. In this regard, scapular stabilization is important for upper extremity and hand functions. Moreover, scapular stabilization might have a role as a support point for hand functions in patients with joint problems. However, the relationships between scapular stabilization and hand functions were not investigated in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Objectives To investigate the relationship between scapular stabilization and hand function in children with JIA with wrist arthritis history (JIAWrist+), and children with JIA without wrist arthritis history (JIAWrist-). Methods A total of forty children (20 children for each group) were included in the study. Scapular stabilization was measured by using scapular muscle endurance test. General functional status, subjective hand functions, and objective hand functions were assessed by using Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ), Duruoz Hand Index, and Purdue Pegboard Test, respectively. Results JIAWrist+ patients reported poorer hand functions compared to JIAWrist- patients. No significant differences were detected for other parameters. Scapular muscle endurance was moderately related to CHAQ Disability Index score, Purdue Pegboard Test (single hand score and assembly score) in JIAWrist+ patients, while there was only a significant relationship between scapular muscle endurance and Purdue Pegboard Test both hand score in JIAWrist- patients. Table 1. Comparison of the Groups and Relationships between Scapular Muscle Endurance and Hand Functions JIAWrist+ (n:20) JIAWrist- (n:20) Median (IQR 25/75) Median (IQR 25/75) p* Age (years) 14.0 (10.5/16.0) 12.5 (11.0/14.5) 0.512 Scapular Muscle Endurance (sec) 21.9 (10.7/35.8) 22.5 (15.8/50.8) 0.383 CHAQ Discomfort Index (score) 20.0 (7.5/48.2) 27.5 (10.0/50.0) 0.489 CHAQ Health Status Index (score) 45.0 (30.0/75.0) 45.0 (30.0/57.5) 0.558 CHAQ Disability Index (score) 0.8 (0.1/1.0) 0.3 (0.0/0.7) 0.104 Duruöz Hand Index (score) 5.5 (2.5/13.5) 0.5 (0.0/4.0) 0.006 Purdue Pegboard Test Single Hand (score) 15.2 (13.5/15.5) 15.2 (14.5/16.2) 0.981 Purdue Pegboard Test Both Hands (score) 11 (9.8/12.0) 11.0 (10.3/12.3) 1.000 Purdue Pegboard Test Assembly (score) 26.5 (23.0/28.5) 26.0 (23.5/29.0) 0.779 Relationships between Scapular Muscle Endurance and Hand Functions CHAQ Discomfort Index (score) rho: -0.086, p: 0.718 rho: -0.174, p: 0.464 CHAQ Health Status Index (score) rho: 0.090, p: 0.706 rho: 0.005, p: 0.982 CHAQ Disability Index (score) rho: -0.560, p: 0.010 rho: -0.219, p: 0.353 Duruöz Hand Index (score) rho: -0.442, p: 0.051 rho: -0.158, p: 0.506 Purdue Pegboard Test Single Hand (score) rho: 0.503, p: 0.024 rho: 0.313, p: 0.179 Purdue Pegboard Test Both Hands (score) rho: 0.400, p: 0.081 rho: 0.459, p: 0.042 Purdue Pegboard Test Assembly (score) rho: 0.594, p: 0.006 rho: 0.218, p: 0.355 *Mann-Whitney-U Test, p&lt;0.05, CHAQ: Childhood Health Assessment Questionnarie, JIAWrist+: children with JIA with wrist arthritis history; JIAWrist-: children with JIA without wrist arthritis history, rho: Spearman’s Rank Correlatio Conclusion According to our results, scapular endurance was found more related to hand functions in wrist involved JIA patients. It seems that scapular stabilization contributes to hand functions differently related to joint involvement in JIA patients. It might be a beneficial strategy to work on scapular muscles in JIA patients with wrist involvement and poor hand functions. Disclosure of Interests None declared